The Netherlands moved to take control of SNS Reaal NV (SR) after real estate losses brought the fourth- largest Dutch lender to the brink of collapse, the country's second banking nationalization since 2008.

The move, aimed "at stabilizing the SNS Reaal group," will cost taxpayers 3.7 billion euros ($5 billion), the Dutch Finance Ministry said in a statement today. SNS's property- finance unit will be separated from the company.